Seton Hall University Nursing School Review
Established in 1865, Seton Hall University (SHU) has so much history to show for the over a century and half it has been operational. It was established as Seton Hall College by a catholic Bishop as home to shape learners in the mind, body and spirit besides the usual education knowledge. About a 100 years down history, it was upgraded into a full-fledged university in 1950. Adhering to the mission of its founder, it remained a men’s college until 1968 when it became a coeducational college.
Nursing at Seton Hall University
The nursing field is one with the most programs at Seton Hall University. The university has affiliation with a number of catholic hospitals and medical centers in the state hence, nursing and other healthcare programs are given high priority in the university academic programs. The college of nursing in particular has 14 distinct nursing tracks at undergraduate, master and a few post-masters certificates.
At undergraduate level, SHU offers several tracks of registered nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) completion programs, second degree nursing program and an entry-level track. At the graduate level, it has 8 Master of Science in nursing (MSN) tracks, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD in nursing terminal degrees. SHU also offers 2 Dual nursing degrees programs.
Undergraduate Programs
BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This is the traditional 4-year nursing programs designed for pre-licensure entry-level candidates. The first two years are dedicated to science and liberal arts courses while the junior and senior years are for nursing major courses and clinical experience. To be eligible to graduate, students must complete 125 credits hours and take a comprehensive exit exam. Graduates can then take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.
RN to BSN
This program has a number of study options and offers many entry options to nurses who wish to add a BSN degree to their prior nursing experience. It is offered on part time basis to ensure nurses who have difficulty sparing time outside of employment have the chance of completing a BSN degree. Applications are welcome from graduates of hospital-based diploma schools and 2-yaers associate colleges who have proof of valid RN licensure.
The degree requirements for the RN to BSN at Seton Hall University is 122 credit hours: 32 can be awarded after showing proof of RN licensure, 55 can be transferred from liberal arts and science courses or can be completed at community colleges prior to matriculation. 30 credits forms the cornerstone of what SHU offers for the RN to BSN. This must be taken from the SHU curriculum to be eligible for graduation. Below is a breakdown of the different study options for the track:
– RN to BSN- On campus
On campus students take all their courses at the main campus at Seton hall. This includes all the 30 mandatory SHU courses in addition to any outstanding liberal arts or science courses. Courses are offered on a part time basis therefore suitable for the working RN.
– RN to BSN-Off Campus
Students who choose this track take their courses from several established locations within the state. At the off-campus locations, courses are also offered on part time plans and students can progress at their own pace. All courses are offered in convenient afternoon schedules of one day per week and are offered according to the students preferences forwarded to the program director. What’s more, registered nurses who choose this track receive 25% discount from SHU on all tuition fees. The off-campus sites are:
- Community Medical Center, Toms River
- Somerset Medical Center, Somerset
- Camden County College, Blackwood
- Medical Center of Ocean County, Brick
– RN to BSN-Online
This online track is designed to meet the career advancement need of the busy RN who wish to have an “anytime anywhere” sort of program. Students choose their own pace of progression through the program. The 30 upper division courses plus any outstanding courses may be taken at SHU on an online format. Students can choose to take clinical courses at clinical sites of choice. However, there are two residency visits: one for program orientation and a mid-program residency where students present professional role function projects. This particular option also allows students to take 6-double edged credits that count towards the BSN and can be transferred to a MSN program.
BSN Accelerated Program
This is a fast paced program designed for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree other than nursing. It is offered as a joint program between SHU and Georgian Court University. New students are admitted every September to embark on studies for a period of 14-study intensive months.
The required curriculum consists of 61 credits offered in a fulltime rigorous mode, Monday through Friday. All courses are offered on site at Georgian Court University Lakewood campus New Jersey.
BSN Second Degree
This degree plan is also designed for registered nurses with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree with only a difference in completion time from the accelerated track. It is offered onsite at South Orange campus of SHU unlike the accelerated option.
New students are admitted every fall and spring semesters to complete the 61 upper division nursing credits. The track takes 4-semesters of 2 academic years to complete on a full time but not rigorous study mode.
Graduate Degrees
Graduate degrees make-up most of the nursing program offered at Seton Hall University. Degree programs at the master’s level are:
Clinical Nurse Leader
This is for candidates with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree wishing to earn a nursing degree at graduate level. It is a very intensive track and students must dedicate full time commitment for a period of 22 months. Course are offered exclusively at South Orange campus of SHU
The curriculum consists of 80-semester credits designed to be covered in 6 semesters of 2 academic years including 2 summers. Students are provided with clinical role development courses to help them get the basics of nursing at undergraduate level. This prepares students for entry into nursing by helping then take the NCLEX-RN exam at the end of the program. Besides earning a registered nurse status, students are also awarded a Master of Science in nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader degree.
MSN Case Management/Administration
This 30-credit program is offered in a hybrid format combining internet based/ online learning and clinical experience at convenient local sites.
MSN Health Systems Administration
The 33-credit health systems administration program has on campus and Online options. Students can further choose to complete the curriculum on a full time or part time basis taking 24 and 30 months respectively. For the onsite students, clinical practice and courses are offered onsite at SHU. On the other hand, MSN Health Systems Administration (Online) students take the didactic portion of the curriculum online and clinical practice at their conveniently chosen clinical sites.
MSN Nurse Practitioner (Online)
Seton Hall offers three online tracks on advanced practice-nurse practitioner option. The same tracks are also offered on campus at South Orange for interested students. Options are
- Gerontological Nurse Practitioner-46 credits
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-43 credits
- Adult Nurse Practitioner-43 credits
On campus students complete all their theory and clinical courses at SHU sites. Online students take didactic courses online and clinical courses from clinical sites at their geographical locations. However, all online NP students must make three onsite weekend residency visits. This permits project presentation and interaction with peers and faculty members. Upon completion, students become eligible to take the national certification exams on their respective field of study.
MSN School Nursing
This track is open to BSN-prepared registered nurses who wish to become school nurses. Coursework is offered on a hybrid format of online and onsite at South Orange. Onsite classes are offered in the late afternoon/evenings and can be completed on a full time or part time basis.
Registered nurses with a school nurse certificate receive credit for advanced standing and only need to take 25 credits to earn the MSN. An RN without the said certificate has to complete an extra 9 credits to be awarded the school nurse certificate upon completion.
Dual MSN Degrees
- Master in Nursing Education
The Master of Arts (MA) in nursing education at Seton Hall University is offered in combination with any of the Nurse Practitioners tracks available. This program; MSN/ MA in nursing education can be sought by students who have already completed an advanced practice MSN program or hand-in-hand with the any of the 3 NP specialization options at SHU
- MSN/MBA in Health Systems Administration
This program is offered by the Stillman School of Business and the college of nursing of Seton Hall. The curriculum consists of 54 credits: 30 for the MBA and 24 for the nursing component. Students are free to choose from any of the advanced practice nurses tracks offered by SHU as their MSN concentration area. Students are awarded the two degrees simultaneously during commencement.
Nursing Certificate Programs
Seton Hall offers nursing certificate on nursing and multi-disciplinary approach in the health care field as follows:
· Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Online & On campus)
· Post-master’s Certificate in Health Systems Administration)
· Post-Master’s Nursing Case Management
· Multidisciplinary Certificate in Gerontology (Baccalaureate candidates)
Doctorate Nursing Degrees
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP)
The DNP terminal degree is open for both MSN and BSN prepared registered nurses. MSN candidates must have completed their specialty in any advanced practice nurse (APN) program or a health systems administration (HSA). Similarly, at DNP level, students must choose an area of concentration in either APN-adult or pediatric nursing or HSA.
The curriculum for post-MSN students consist of 36-45 credits depending on the concentration area chosen. For post-BSN students, the curriculum is longer and consists of 72 semester credits. Both are available on a full time study plan.
PhD Nursing
The PhD program prepares MSN graduates to be nurse scholars on full time or part time study plans. The 48-credit hour program takes 5 years/ 10 semesters and 4 years/8 semesters for part time and full time plans respectively.
Contact:
Seton Hall University
400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange,
NJ 07079
